An outbreak of newcastle disease early in the year claimed over 1,000 chickens in Torit that led the local government to organize a vaccination campaign.
Eastern Equatoria Animal Resources and Fisheries minister Hassan Urbano told Radio Emmanuel that the poultry died due to delayed delivery of vaccines from the central government in Juba.He noted that the number of chicken that died due to similar outbreak of newcastle disease in other counties remains unrecorded due to inadequate personnel and difficulties to access vaccines.
Eastern Equatoria Acting Director of Veterinary Services and Livestock Development Quinto Aseya said an emergency response vaccination campaign was launched in April when most of the chickens were already infected.
Similar outbreaks were reported in Ikwoto, Budi and Magwi Counties.
Mr Aseya noted that vets do not have fridges to move with vaccines to the affected counties.
He explained that although the vaccination is ongoing, only about 800 chickens were vaccinated in Torit.